Last week, Jim Breuer was in Estes Park, Colo., to open a new theater with his stand-up show at the Stanley Hotel, the majestic inspiration for Stephen King’s classic horror tale, “The Shining.”

In a matter of days, the former “Saturday Night Live” “Goat Boy” travels to open Bridgeport’s new comedy club, The Stress Factory, bordering McLevy Green, in the former Polka Dot Playhouse. The renovated club — run by Vinnie and Vicki Brand — will host the New Jersey-ite for five performances, Thursday through Saturday, May 3-5.

“It’s the season for opening up new places,” Breuer said, laughing during a recent chat from Colorado. Breuer — on Comedy Central’s list of “100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time” — is known by fans for his diverse talents as a “storyteller,” film and TV actor, producer, filmmaker and writer. His stand-up shows, he said, are multigenerational and nonpolitical.

His career began almost 30 years ago — in 1989 — with his first stand-up gig in Clearwater, Fla., where he was living at the time near his parents. Among his many past and present projects are his “Jim Breuer Podcast,” which is available on iTunes and JimBreuer.com, and his acting gigs in, among others, “Kevin Can Wait” on CBS and in such popular films as “Zookeeper” and “Half Baked.”

The list goes on and on. But when Hearst Media recently interviewed the 50-year-old Long Island, N.Y., native, he was most excited about his “singing” gig with Billy Joel at a sold-out Madison Square Garden show at the end of March, a few days before Easter. It was an extraordinary experience made all the more sweet because his wife and 16-year-old daughter, who was celebrating her birthday, were in the audience. It all came about by a serendipitous introduction to the music legend, facilitated by Breuer’s agent, shortly before the concert was set to begin.

Apparently, Breuer’s imitation of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson is legendary in certain circles — and Joel asked the comic if he would like to join him on stage that night for a rendition of “You Shook Me All Night Long” (of which there are several Breuer entries on YouTube).

“I was stunned. And initially said, ‘Maybe some other time.’ ” However, he was talked into it by other band members and finally said “OK.” “I mean, how many times in life do you have the opportunity to sing with Billy Joel at a sold-out Garden? But I was so nervous I couldn’t concentrate.” He told the band he probably would be unable to recall all the words to the song. “But they told me not to worry; that monitors on stage would display the words.”

No rehearsal. No sound check. But like an old pro, he went on, and evidently, he was a huge success; the crowd went wild, with Joel and all the band members offering congratulations at song’s end. The next day, his daughter assured him that her friends at school were super impressed that he shared the stage with Joel, who played guitar on the song. So he knew he had been a success.

To understand Breuer, is to read his bio, and to know that he attempts to be empathetic to those dealing with the multitude of challenges that confront humans — including pain, loss, financial hardship, aging and family life. (He has three daughters and his wife is coping with cancer.)

“For me, there’s no better feeling in the world than making someone laugh and knowing that I’ve inspired or healed someone. It’s nice when people tell me I’m funny, but the (people who) keep me going are the ones who come up to me and say, ‘Can I just tell you, I just lost my mom, and you healed me. That’s the first time I’ve laughed in ages. ... We needed this so much.’ ”

Other comics slated at The Stress Factory include Gary Owen May 10-13, and Andrew Dice Clay May 17-19. Breuer is slated for Sept. 22 at Foxwoods.